But the world famous goalkeeper's lawyer insisted that she was the victim in the incident in Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, Washington.

"Hope is not guilty of any crime," Todd Maybrown said. "In fact, our investigation reveals that Hope was assaulted and injured during this unfortunate incident.

"We look forward to the opportunity to present the true facts in court and to having this matter behind Hope very soon."

Officers arrived at Solo's sister's home just before 1am after receiving an emergency call saying a woman was hitting people and refused to stop or leave, Kirkland Police Department said.

They found Solo, 32, intoxicated and upset, saw injuries on her nephew and her sister, and arrested her after speaking with people present and determining that she was the primary aggressor, the department said.

Solo was booked into jail for investigation of two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault and was expected to remain in custody until an appearance at Kirkland Municipal Court tomorrow.

Her sister was not identified by police, but in her memoir, Solo writes that she has a half-sister named Terry.

Solo has won two Olympic gold medals for the US women's national team and also plays for the Seattle Reign of the National Women's Soccer League.

"We are aware of the situation with Hope and are now gathering information," the Reign posted on the team's Twitter feed.

In 2012 she married former Seattle Seahawks American footballer Jerramy Stevens. He was arrested just before their wedding for investigation of assault after a disturbance involving her, but was not charged. Mr Maybrown represented him in that case.

Solo said soon afterwards that there never was an assault and that she and her new husband were happy.

"It's unfortunate what the media can do to judge before the facts are out there. It's hard to see, but it's a hard truth, and it's part of life," she said then. "I'm happy. I'm happily married. I would never stand for domestic violence. I've never been hit in my life."